Independence

Preparing For Independence

At age 18, you are now an adult and the Crown Ward Order has expired. What do you do now? How do you access resources and supports that will assist you in transitioning towards independence? Below is information that applies to former Crown Wards.

Continued Care and Support for Youth (formerly ECM)

Continued Care and Support for Youth (CCSY) is a voluntary agreement between the former Crown Ward and the Durham Children’s Aid Society. This agreement is set up to give former Crown Wards a monthly allowance to fund day to day expenses such as rent, food, clothing, hygiene, phone and transportation. This is a customized agreement between the youth and the Society and the youth is to meet agreed upon goals in order to stay on CCSY until age 21. Most children stay at home until they are finished their schooling and obtain employment. This option allows former Crown Wards age 18-21 to continue their schooling and receive emotional and monetary support from the DCAS. Speak to your CYS Worker to see if you meet criteria for CCSY.

Crown Ward Aftercare Benefits Initiative

The Aftercare Benefits Initiative is for previous Crown Wards age 21-25; not eligible for other health coverage and were a youth in CAS care (Crown Ward). You may qualify for these benefits: Prescription Drugs, Dental, Vision, Extended Health, Counselling and other life skills supports, including career coaching, financial planning, legal advice and more. Eligible youth can access ABI through their website, listed below, or call 1-800-718-1797 for further information.

Ontario Child Benefit Equivalent (OCBE)

The OCBE directive came into effect on June 26, 2008 through the Ministry of Children and Youth Services. DCAS allocates OCBE funds for the purpose of Activities Program and Savings Program. Activities Program is intended to support children and youth in care, up to age 18, in achieving the following outcomes.

Higher educational achievement;

Higher degree of resiliency, social skills and relationship development; and

A smoother transition to adulthood.

Savings program is money saved through OCBE for youth in care between the ages of 15-18. This Savings Program can be used to assist youth with their basic needs upon leaving care. Eligible youth must meet the following requirements to get access to their OCBE savings.

Establish a personal bank account, or an alternative savings mechanism to receive funds where banking is not feasible;

Develop an appropriate plan for the use of the savings.

Speak to your CYS Worker for more details on eligibility and how to access the OCBE Activities Program and OCBE Savings Program.

DCAS Start Up Fund: CCSY youth are also eligible for a one-time start up fund of $500.00 from the DCAS to purchase furnishings for their new residence. Speak to your worker for more details on how to request the DCAS Start Up Fund.

Budgeting and Money Management: Do you feel like your money is disappearing? Below are some helpful tips and strategies on how to budget your money.

Food banks in your area

It can be difficult to budget your funds and it’s okay to utilize your local food bank to ensure you have enough to eat during the month where your CCSY funds fall short. See below for a list of Food Banks in your region.

Whitby

Rights and Responsibilities for Youth in Care: As a youth, you have several rights in this world, such as receiving medical and dental care, the right to go to school, receive appropriate discipline but not physical punishment, to participate in recreational and athletic activities that are suited to your interests and talk privately with your CAS worker and your lawyer.

Participate in cultural activities, heritage and traditions related to your family background.

The Office of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth: If you feel your rights have been violated or you have other questions related to your care, call the Office of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth. The Provincial Advocate Office listens and attempts to problem solve, mediates complaints, negotiates with service providers or government officials, networks with the community and intercedes on behalf of children, youth and young adults when they cannot speak for themselves.

Transitional Age Youth (TAY) Program: This is specialized transitional planning for youth who have a diagnosis of an intellectual ability as assessed through psychometric and adaptive skill assessments. The TAY program provides case management and residential and community participation support to those adults awaiting transfer to adult support services. Your CYS Worker will know if you meet qualifications for this program.

Youth Communication, Advocacy and Networking (YouthCAN) This resource supports youth in transition. YouthCAN is a multi-component program for youth in care of Children’s Aid Societies across Ontario, and Children’s Aid staff who work with them. The functions of YouthCAN are facilitated by the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies.

YouthCAN Goals:

Advocate on behalf of youth in care in Ontario Children’s Aid Societies.

Communicate timely and relevant information to Children’s Aid Societies and youth in care.

Increase youth input into policy, programs and activities.

Be a resource to Children’s Aid Societies, youth networks and organizations with a Youth in Care matter.

Social Assistance Programs: Ontario has two Social Assistance programs to help eligible residents of Ontario who are in financial need. Keep in mind, that you cannot receive OW/ODSP funds and CCSY funds at the same time.

Ontario Works (OW) helps people who are in temporary financial need.

Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) helps people with disabilities. It has two parts:

Financial help – this is called Income Support.

Help finding a job – this is called Employment Supports.

If you are currently on Continued Care and Support for Youth with DCAS, you are ineligible for OW or ODSP at the same time.

Income Tax Information: Each year those age 18+ should complete and file their Annual Income Tax return forms. Even if you have not worked, you could still be eligible for a GST rebate. If you are on Continued Care and Support for Youth, you do not have to claim this as income. Each year Canada Revenue works collaboratively with community organizations to provide a Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP). The objective of the CVITP is to help eligible individuals who are not able to prepare their income tax benefit returns by themselves. The community organizations host tax preparation clinics and arrange for volunteers to prepare tax returns for individuals with a low income and a simple tax situation. The CRA offers training and tax software for the volunteers as well as a network of CVITP co-ordinators to guide community organizations as they deliver the program. For more information, log onto

Emergency Shelters

Emergency shelters provide temporary housing for individuals who have no other place to stay. Emergency shelters may provide shared or private rooms with shared facilities such as washrooms, laundry and lounge areas.

Joanne’s House Youth Supports

Joanne’s House is an emergency shelter and provides short term housing for youth, ages 16 to 24 years old. This shelter is a safe place for youth and they provide meals, clothing, shower and washroom facilities, access to phone and internet, help with navigating social service systems, referrals for counselling, education on nutrition and hygiene and assistance with employment readiness.

Youth Life Skills and Drop-ins

There are several youth friendly drop-ins and resource programs to assist you in connecting to resources and other youth in the community. Durham Children’s Aid Society offers several life skill programs for youth in care 14-20 years of age. Contact karen.saunders@durhamcas.ca for details on what we offer.

Durham Adolescent Resource Centre (DARC)

Youth Activity and Support Program (YASP)

YASP is open Monday to Friday from 3:30pm-6:30pm. They provide a drop-in atmosphere and can assist youth with transferable employment, independent living and life skills learning opportunites. Participating youth have access to an onsite Nurse Practitioner, emergency food pantry, laundry, shower and dinner at no cost.